Harbour festival organisers welcome funding

Organisers of the Gladstone Harbour Festival say they are pleased that Gladstone City Council has kept a promise to double its funding to the annual event.

Up to 70,000 people went to this year's festival.

In this year's budget, Gladstone council allocated $30,000 to the event, which brings in more than $1 million to the city.

Mayor Peter Corones says it is an important event.

"It is our show quite frankly, it generates a heck of a lot of visitors to our region," he said.

Organiser Judy Whicker says the council's contribution will help fund her full-time position.

"When you're running with a festival that costs in excess of $300,000, it really is very important that they have that continuity of a full-time manager to get out there and chase sponsorship," she said.

Mrs Whicker says it was disappointing that a funding request to Calliope Shire Council was turned down.